Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church

Continuing Conversations

Greetings! I hope your summer is going smoothly! I am just back from a delightful week of vacation with family and friends in Ontario. Thanks to everyone who has asked - the fishing was fine! (Not quite as good as in previous years, but still fun none-the-less!)

Now, with a quick week turn-around, I'm preparing to leave with eleven of our youth as we head off to the National Youth Triennium. What's that? The Presbyterian Youth Triennium is a gathering of 7,000 Presbyterian youth and adults from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The event occurs every three years at Purdue University. This year's theme is "No Longer Strangers" from Ephesians 2:14-19. By the end of our week, 7,000 strangers will discover that they are indeed members together of the household of God. (You can find out more at www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org.)

I had the privilege of accompanying our youth delegates six years ago, so I know it will be a full (and probably exhausting) week, filled with amazing worship, meaningful small group experiences, and loads of wild recreation. It also has the potential to be a life - and faith - changing experience for those who attend. I've seen the impact it has had in past years, and have talked with youth who - six years later - still describe it as a major milestone in their Christian faith. I pray that the youth attending this year will experience that same power and presence of Christ - that their lives will be deeply touched and changed by this time to grow in his love and grace! I think it is fantastic that our church and denomination make these opportunities available. (A special thanks to our church Foundation for helping to support the cost of attending!) Whether as a youth, or as an adult, we all benefit from these times when we can be surrounded by a community of faith, and intentionally spend time in worship, study and renewal. Whether it's at a conference like this, a retreat this fall, or a weekly small group - I hope you are finding time in your life to be with "members of the household of God," and intentionally refresh your soul and deepen your faith.

This Sunday, July 18, we will commission the twelve participants from our congregation (Michele Disch, Karen Evans, Darren Gruber, Greg Hastings, Teanna McCray, Erik Muntz, Patrick O'Connell, Lauren Pitcher, Molly Robinson, Christie Salmon, Justine Van Dyke, and myself). And, the congregation will be given an opportunity to make a commitment to be prayer support partners for those attending. I believe this prayer support is a vital part of the experience. First, it is a commitment to pray that God's Spirit will indeed move within the life of each youth. And, it is a reminder that this experience - Triennium - doesn't happen in a vacuum. They have a community of faith to which they come home. They will come home with new thoughts, challenging ideas and renewed enthusiasm. Part of our prayer is a willingness to receive the gifts that they will bring home!

If you were not present in worship on the 18th, I hope that you will still choose one (or more) of these individuals, and pray for them daily until we return. (We will be leaving the morning of Tuesday, July 20, and returning in the afternoon of Sunday, July 25.)

Once the group returns, there will be plenty of stories and pictures to share. More importantly, I pray that we return with lives that have a new experience of the amazing power of Christ to touch and transform lives - and the way we are connected together as his body. And, even more than that - my deepest prayer is that our whole life together as a church - as the body of Christ - will be touched by this reminder that "We are no longer strangers. We are members of the household of God."

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Peacemaking Awards

Once again, our church is proud to have presented the Peacemaker award to four wonderful young people.

The Peacemaker Award honors graduating seniors from area schools and hopefully encourages them to continue their peacemaking attributes and actions as they go into their adult lives. The $500 grants are made possible through our annual Peacemaking Offering in the fall.

Our recipient from Memorial High School is Christian Smeltzer. He is the son of Terry and Elizabeth Smeltzer. While in high school Christian gave of himself in numerous ways including being an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has a strong faith in God and is willing to share his faith with fellow students. He shows concern for them as people and leads by serving.

Jimtown High School has chosen Jodi Thayer, daughter of Robert and Janet Thayer. Her counselor writes "Jodi is generous and an incredibly kind young woman. She gently leads by example and has a compassion for others. She has a unique gift for lifting those around her to give their very best. This encourages a more peaceful environment." Jodi plans to pursue a degree in the ministry.

Caleb Beery is the nominee from Central High School. His parents are Dennis and Billie Beery. Through his involvement in high school, Church, and community, he has shown that he cares for others and has the understanding of service necessary for a peaceful planet. His counselor writes, "Caleb is sound in Christian character and intellect. He is friendly, accepting, a hard-worker, and truly a peacemaker."

Our award recipient from Concord High School is Geoff Cocanower. His parents are Dan and Renee Cocanower. His teacher appreciates Geoff's attitude towards life. He always treated his peers and instructors with respect. He demonstrates heart-filled spirit, humor, and kindness towards others. Geoff was humbly surprised to receive this award since he had known and respected

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Our 2004 Graduates

Carolyn Ellington received her MA in Music Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder on May 6, 2004. She will be teaching orchestra at Northwestern Middle School in Alpharetta, Georgia, in the fall.

Kendra Ellington graduated from Goshen High School and will be attending Ball State University in the fall majoring in Vocal Music Education and piano.

Leslee Gilpin is a graduate of Elkhart Central High School. She will be attending Indiana University in Bloomington where she will major in International Business.

Maria Schubert will be attending Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. This year she won the Student of the Year scholarship from the Elkhart Exchange Club, the Minichillo Scholarship for Education, and the National Honor Society scholarship. Whe was also awarded the Presidential Scholar Award from Saint Mary's College.

Beau Butler is a graduate of Copncord High School. He will be attending PurdueUniversity and majoring in Computer Engineering.

Christie Salmon, a graduate of Central High School, will be attending Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and will major in Graphic Design.

Christie Ozier graduated from Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Illinois. She will be attending Ball State University, majoring in Graphic Arts Management.

Jane Best received her Ph.D in Higher Education Policy from Vanderbult University, Nashville, Tennessee on May 14, 2004.

Molly Robinson is a graduate of Elkhart Central High School and will be attending Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, majoring in Humanities.

Other Graduates in 2004 are Jenny Anderson, Heather Goldy, and Garet Osterloo.

Marilyn & John Horvath's grandchildren:

Amber Marie & Michael Allen Butler from Elkhart Central High School. Amber is graduating with honors and plans to attend Purdue. Michael plans to attend a music institute in Florida.
Elizabeth Bear, Tcson AZ, is graduating from Arizona State University with a BS in Molecular & Cellular Biology.

Trustee Tribune

What is the Trustee Board?
The Trustee Board is responsible for maintaining the building, grounds, office equipment, and insurance for the congregation. The Trustees meet the second Thursday of each month (except July) at 7:00 p.m. The meetings are not open for church members, but any concerns, questions, or comments can be submitted as follows:

1) Send the question by email to - cinda@www.presbyelk.org
2) Send the question to the church and mark envelope - Trustee Question.
3) Find in the pocket of the Gathering of God's People pad a form that you can fill out and deposit in the offering plate.

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Sunday Morning Classes.

9:00 a.m.
Christian Conversations...Formerly known as Tough Issues, a roundtable discussion of relevant topics with a Christian responsibility focus. We will meet in Room 100 at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday beginning July 11.

July 18 & 25 - Alzheimer's Disease: Its Effects on Families. Panel members are Pat and Marguerite Butler, Ann Wieringa and Joan Brown.

Watch the bulletin Board and future issues of First Press for upcoming topics.

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The Bridge will not be meeting during the month of July.
We will resume on August 22, at a new time, 9:45 a.m.,
between the8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
Watch for upcoming articles about
The Bridge services in the newsletters
and bulletins..

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Brown Bag Book Bunch

The Book Bunch is reading some great books! If you're a reader, come join us! Our next meeting is August 2, 2004, at 11:30 am.

August	A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
September	The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
October	Probable Future, by Alice Hoffman
November	Leap of Faith, by Queen Noor

Our 2004 Graduates

Trustee Tribune

This 'n' That

Worship Schedule